Ashfield YOI makes impressive progress as inmate levels fall
Neil Puffett
Monday, October 25, 2010
A drop in youth custody rates has allowed a privately run young offender institution (YOI) in Bristol to make significant improvements, an inspection report has found.
Nick Hardwick, chief inspector of prisons, said Ashfield had achieved good inspection reports for some time and the latest report found some excellent practice.
However, he said that at the time of inspection, the 400-capacity YOI was "barely half-full" and this had provided an opportunity to improve both the physical environment and the regime of the establishment.
This needed to be sustained as numbers increased again, he added.
Ashfield was found much safer than previously, with "very good" procedures for supporting young people in the early days of custody, as well as good support for the vulnerable and those at risk of self-harm.
Relationships between staff and young people were generally good, race-relation work was well developed and mental health services were excellent.
Resettlement services were rated as "very good", with most young people leaving with a college place or employment opportunity on release.
However, inspectors were concerned that the loss of funding for social work posts had left a serious gap, particularly for looked-after children.
Meanwhile, "a few staff" needed more support to set proper boundaries in their relationships with young people, and the support for foreign nationals and young people with disabilities needed further development.
Hardwick said: "At the time of the inspection, Ashfield delivered an impressive result, but it was only about half full.
"This had undoubtedly contributed to the improved feelings of safety among the young people, the ability to refurbish tired residential units, and the capacity to provide full and constructive activity.
"With the closure of Huntercombe YOI, Ashfield is likely to fill up again.
"It is to be hoped that the real and demonstrable progress that Ashfield has made will be sustainable, even as it expands."
Tom Riall, chief executive of Serco Civil Government which runs Ashfield YOI, said: "We are focused on maintaining this progress and are not complacent about the challenges ahead to continue to further develop and deliver the skills necessary for these young people to make their way in life, away from offending."
